If there's one GSA site that is overlooked the most, we think it's GSA eLibrary. No matter if you are a prospective or experience GSA Schedule contractor, GSA eLibrary is an important source for you. A lot of contractors are unaware of how useful this site can be for their contracting success, and we think you should understand what GSA eLibrary can offer you and how you can use it to your advantage. For example, the site addresses common questions such as: Who is my Contracting Officer and what is their contact information? When does my contract expire? Who are my competitors?

It’s no secret the federal government prioritizes small business participation in federal contracts. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, the federal government awarded $162.9 billion in contract dollars to small businesses. How does the government accomplish this? The federal government requires Other Than Small Businesses (OTSB) to create a “practicable opportunity” for small businesses to participate in federal procurement. One of the ways to accomplish this is through small business subcontracting.

Did you know that having a small business designation can fuel marketing and sales efforts for new federal business opportunities? Every year, the Small Business Administration (SBA) aims for certain percentage goals of budget spending that are designated for small business contracts. So, it’s critical to know if your company is eligible for small business set-aside contracts, but how can you be sure?

Many government contractors make the mistake of not taking the time to conduct market research. Instead, they spend their time monitoring upcoming opportunities and chasing agencies, which is much more useful if paired with the proper market analysis to determine the right strategy and the most relevant opportunities to pursue. While it's important to get your company's name out there and respond to government solicitations, it can be a waste of time if the opportunity isn't the right fit, or there are components to it you just can't realistically meet.

The GSA Schedule acquisition process can be difficult and lengthy - you have prepared and submitted your Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) offer, gone through negotiations and clarifications, and finally received your award. Now that you have a GSA Schedule, your top priority is to generate sales by marketing your products and services and finding government customers. However, you must also be sure to maintain your contract’s terms and conditions.

While searching for a contracting opportunity on SAM.gov, you may have glossed over entries that are marked as Sources Sought Notices (SSNs). Maybe it's because it's not a formal government solicitation and overall may seem like an underdeveloped opportunity, but we suggest you take a closer look, because Sources Sought Notices play a key role in federal procurement and can increase your odds of winning the opportunity.